SWACUHO Podcast

In this episode of the SWACUHO Podcast, host Ricky Harris sits down with housing veterans Hayley Minton (UT Dallas) and Gregg Suttle (SMU), who bring over 50 years of combined experience to the table. Together, they explore both sides of the move-in coin: the professional strategies required to manage the chaos and the personal strategies needed to survive it.

Get ready for an exclusive look into the inner workings of SWACUHO leadership! Fresh off the 60th anniversary conference, host Ricky Harris talks with immediate past president Beth Eppinger and current president Dr. J.C. Stoner. The trio unpacks the unique and contrasting pathways that led both guests to the presidency, proving there is no single "right" way to lead. From the resilience required after losing an election to the unglamorous realities of managing the SWACUHO email inbox, Beth and J.C. share candid insights on redefining success and leaving a lasting legacy. Whether you are a seasoned leader or looking to join your very first committee, this episode offers invaluable advice on building habits, finding your voice, and making a tangible impact on the region.

On this episode we welcome Leanna Payton from Henderson State University who is also a member of the SWACUHO Executive Board. For the last couple of years, she has led SWACUHO’s efforts to celebrate the association’s 60thAnniversary. During this discussion, we go back to 1966 and the beginning of our history and take a journey up to the present. Intermingled throughout the conversation are thoughts from SWACUHO leaders and stakeholders from over many years who tell stories and reflect on their time in SWACUHO. Join us on this trip down memory lane.

About two years have passed since the last episode of the SWACUHO Podcast. This episode reintroduces the podcast to the region, welcomes a new host, and discusses the idea of "pet projects." We look at how they are thought of, the work that goes into them, and how they can be set up for future success (or failure, too).

After a three month gap, we have M. Joel Gatti (Director of Housing Operations at SMU) back on the show. This time around we are cruising the ACUHO-I community message boards for topics to discuss and banter about. Those topics include:

• Mid-semester room cleaning, preparation, and handling abandoned property;
• Requiring staff to be trained to administer CPR and Narcan, plus the logistics behind such emergency response expectations.
• "Valet" laundry and trash services.
• The professional value of participating in and/or observing niche conversations about specialized topics outside your expertise.

It's a wide range of topics you certainly don't want to miss.

When recording this episode, there was simply too much to cover so please excuse the discontinuity between the intro and the topic for the month. We had such an expansive conversation with Dr. Reba Sims (Texas A&M-San Antonio) that the recording was divided into two episodes. This month we are covering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion... and the Texas Legislature, specifically SB17. Reba talks about immediate impact before getting into long-term implications that stem from the inevitable confusion with vaguely worded legislation. She talks about how individual interactions ultimately determine an institution's culture, often more than programmatic efforts do. We talk about how systems are cyclical and are designed to replicate themselves leaving us no road map to toppling them, but we throw out some ideas anyway.

This is an episode you really don't want to miss. And don't worry! Dr. Reba Sims will be back on the show in the very near future with Part II of her original recording to talk about Professional Development! 

Be sure to connect with Dr. Reba Sims on LinkedIn and thank her for coming on the show!

This month we are using the book "Friend of a Friend: Understanding the Hidden Networks That Can Transform Your Life and Career" to talk about network science. In this episode we define the various ties in your network: strong, weak, and dormant ties, revealing the value of each. We cover out of the blue recommendation letters or reference checks, how to see your whole network, being a network broker, and the concept of homophily and how it impacts your network. There are plenty of tangible takeaways to put into practice that only take a few minutes to help keep your network alive. Get ready to scroll to the bottom of your text message list to see some dormant ties just waiting to be reactivated!

Be sure to reach out to our guests and thank them for coming on the show!

• Dillon Linder
• Shawn Garrett, Garrett PLLC

This episode features Molly Albart, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs at UT Arlington. Molly talks about moving up and moving out of housing into an AVP role that, interestingly enough, does not include housing in her current portfolio. We talk about the transferrable skills housing experience provides when considering to make a move into other areas of student affairs. We then tackle community development and programming models, with some very candid observations and feedback about the practicality of their purpose and success. We then talk assessment and geek out on some very practical Excel skills anyone looking to provide value in their department should immediately start practicing. And since Molly is responsible for her division's annual report, we ask her to rank the value of individual contributions in an annual report. This episode covers a wide range of topics, but is filled with tangible action you can take in your job.

This month we are joined by Don Yackley, fresh off his tenure as President of SWACUHO. This is probably the most organic interview we have had thus far on the podcast, with topics ranging from stupid questions to imposter syndrome to having situational awareness. Most all of these topics weave in and around the actual topic at hand: professional involvement. Don gives us his observations on whether people are too busy to get involved, managing and changing priorities, and ghosting committees. The bottom line is this: raise your hand to do something, then show up to do it, then do it!

Seeking professional advice? Fill out this anonymous form and a panel of housing staff will give you their take on your situation on an upcoming podcast.

This month is our second round of asking the most important questions of all: your questions! That's right, our panel today is responding to listener questions. Coming back on the show is Adonis Thompson, Maggie Guzman, and Ken Stoner who give advice and some tough love to the following questions:

• Should you look to leave your job when you don't really like your supervisor but love your departmental leadership?
• Is there a way to get out of being required to move halls after two years of employment?
• What to do if you always feel out of the loop?
• How do you respond if your staff always complains and never feels your efforts to advocate on their behalf is good enough?

Download the Reflection Guide! (forthcoming) - If you put anything into action from the Podcast, please consider sharing it via [email protected] and you may get featured on an upcoming episode. Serve your region by coming up with reflection questions for this episode. Submit them to [email protected] and you'll get your name on the reflection guide for everyone to see your contribution!

Seeking professional advice? Fill out this anonymous form and a panel of housing staff will give you their take on your situation on an upcoming podcast.

Guests Past Episodes:
009 - Reflections from a Black President | Adonis Thompson [SWACUHO Podcast]
010 - Read, File, Delete, or Ignore? Email Management | Monique Burkley and Maggie Guzman [SWACUHO Podcast]
015 - Reflections on Coming Full Circle | Ken Stoner [SWACUHO Podcast]

Other Past Episodes Mentioned:
001 - Reflections on a Single Institution Career | Kent Sampson [SWACUHO Podcast]
003 - Resident Assistant Hiring Practices | Craig Seager [SWACUHO Podcast]
002 - Meaningful Moments in Campus Housing | Apefa Cooper and Maddie Reid [SWACUHO Podcast]